Cookie Monster
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Getting aircrafts for specialized roles dilutes down the total amount of multirole jets BAF can get(bcuz u r essentially allocating some of the amount from that same budget towards another type of aircraft). It's not that strike aircraft like Mirage don't have their benefits...it's more like picking and choosing in a way to ensure the biggest bang for ur buck and packing the strongest punch with the least amount of resources spent.My thoughts exactly.
BAF is in a very sorry state currently. Instead of real adversary aircraft, it is overloaded with trainers, but that is never a bad thing. Training new pilots is a constant challenge. Aircraft can be sourced quickly, but replacing a well-trained pilot takes years.
I agree with most of your thoughts, but we do need some platform housing an air-launched anti-ship missile like the AM39 Exocet, as mounted on some of your Mirage 5's.
The recent news about Bangladesh acquiring supersonic Kh-31's is good news, which means we have (or will soon have) ARM capability. Having ARM capability is crucial to knocking out air search radars and fire control radars which is the first part of the mission to securing sea lanes, by disabling sensor capability for aggressor ships.
Once sensors are out, any aggressor ship pretty much becomes a sitting duck for Exocet or other air-launched missile hits.
Bangladesh also needs aircraft with strong RF and Optical signal jamming capability.
And smaller multiple AWACS platforms which you guys have would be great as well.
If BD was like Qatar...I wouldn't be suggesting this. Again I would highlight the example of Sweden...
...the best bang for ur buck would still be a multirole single engine aircraft. One that is reliable and used around the world...and there already exists a vast array of munitions(air to air, antiship, ARM, air to ground missiles and bombs, etc) for it. This way BAF can carry out whatever type of mission is required... additionally
- an overall lower cost per jet(only one type will have to be maintained, pilot training, spare parts, etc).
- give BAF more leverage to get more goodies by placing a bulk order of just one type...rather than a couple squadrons of this and a couple squadrons of that.
BAF can also skip on air refueling tankers entirely. For missions requiring longer range either CFT(like on F16) or drop tanks would be fine. These fighter jets(F16, J10, Gripen) have enough range to engage most targets over BD air, extending into Myanmar, and over the sea.
As for AWACS...two could suffice...but three would be better. An economy the size of BD...and a country the size of BD(keeping in mind the challenges, geography, politics, etc.) can easily have a lean and effective air force with 72 fighter jets(single engine multirole) with the backing of 3 AWACS(where at least one is airborne at all times during hostilities/tense situation).
Slightly off topic...but like u mentioned about Pak's Mirages and AWACS...
...u will notice some other similarities about BD acquiring defense equipment that Pak already has...or BD members wanting defense equipment for BD that Pak has. This is not a coincidence...it's bcuz Pak also has a limited budget and tries to make the most of what it can(talking in general here...setting aside the instances of corruption, kickbacks, and in some cases even incompetence)...
Pak/BD could have a much closer relationship..and Pak can assist BD in building up its armed forces if only Hasina would allow closer cooperation/ties.
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